ODOT Emphasizes National Work Zone Awareness Campaign

MARIETTA, OH — This is National Work Zone Awareness Week. Today, the Ohio Department of Transportation held a press event to kick off their annual spring campaign. ODOT District 10 Public Information Officer Ashley Rittenhouse said they just want to raise awareness about people driving safely in work zones. Construction season is just getting heated up so drivers are going to see more and more work zones as we move closer to summer.

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She said folks need to remember to be careful, there are ODOT crews and contractors out there working all the time. "The bottom line is just like me and you, they want to go home to their families at the end of the day. They're just out there doing their jobs." Rittenhouse explained that some folks need reminding that driving is a big responsibility.

So far in 2021, there have already been 603 work zone crashes. "That includes three fatal crashes." There have been 62 ODOT crews struck this year, and construction season is just really starting. So ODOT isn’t beating around the bush here they want you to know that this is the safety of their people we’re talking about. Tim Felton is a Highway Technician for ODOT in Washington County. He says he’s had a good number of close calls with careless drivers while working. “Every time we’re out we have close calls.”

Their slogan this year is "Move over, slow down." And that isn't just a recommendation, it's the law. Felton says a lot of people think it’s a suggestion. “It’s not it’s a law and people can be ticketed for it.”

The move over law says that when you see a vehicle with flashing lights you have to move into a lane of traffic farther away, but if you can't do so safely, you have to slow down. This goes for ambulances, tow trucks, work crews. "You are required to move over a lane." Felton says they understand that everyone can’t move over because of other cars, “We at least ask that everyone slow down.” Things happen fast on the highway. “If you slow down that’ll give you a better chance of reacting if you blow a tire.”

He says at the end of the day, highway workers have families they want to go home to. “We don’t want to get hurt, we don’t want anyone else to get hurt either.” Felton shuddered at the thought of someone having to live with the fact that they hit a worker on the side of the road by not paying attention.

So keep your eyes off of your phones when you’re driving. “Please put your phone down, it can wait. Pull over if you have to.” He understands the urge. “I know, your phone goes off and you want to go for it, but please don’t.” He says it’s bad enough to do it on the highway, “but when you do it in a work zone you’re putting a lot more lives at risk.”

The campaign for National Work Zone Awareness Week will be going on until April 30. And the message is simple. "Pay attention and be extra careful in those work zones."

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